Micro-Elimination: Updated Pathway to Global Elimination of Hepatitis C in Small Communities and Industrial Settings during the COVID 19 Pandemic.

Autor: Butaru AE; Department of Infectious Disease, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania., Gheonea DI; Department of Gastroenterology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania., Rogoveanu I; Department of Gastroenterology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania., Diculescu M; Department of Gastroenterology, 'Carol Davila' University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania., Boicea AR; Department of Labor Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania., Bunescu M; Department of Labor Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania., Streba CT; Research Center of Gastroenterology and Hepatology of Craiova, 200638 Craiova, Romania.; Department of Pulmonology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania., Oancea CN; Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: Journal of clinical medicine [J Clin Med] 2021 Oct 27; Vol. 10 (21). Date of Electronic Publication: 2021 Oct 27.
DOI: 10.3390/jcm10214976
Abstrakt: Background: In response to the goal of the World Health Organisation to eliminate hepatitis C virus infections by 2030, Romania is striving for national elimination. An already successful micro-elimination project was expanded to test-and-treat specific populations and at-risk groups. The aim of this project was to identify the individuals with HCV infection in disadvantaged regions who do not have proper medical care access.
Materials and Methods: Our two-arm interventional cross-sectional study used rapid anti-HCV antibody testing on two population groups from the Romanian southwestern region of Oltenia, approached between September 2020 and May 2021. The first group consisted of predominantly over 40 years old individuals, recruited through five family doctors from two medium-sized towns (community lot-CL). We approached a second group, aged 18-65, through 11 medical offices of five large factories in the same region (industry lot, IL). A 12-items questionnaire was given to each participant, to determine risk factors and record demographic data. Eligible patients initiated antiviral therapy using direct-acting antivirals (DAAs).
Results: We enrolled 15,383 individuals between all 16 locations. The overall prevalence by antibody testing was 0.77% (119 cases). Of these, 57 subsequently received treatment with DAAs. We identified blood transfusions as a risk factor within the CL. Participants in the IL reported a relatively high risk for the following situations: sharing of personal hygiene belongings with another person, performing previous blood transfusions, dental interventions and previous surgery.
Conclusions: In this global context, the use of micro-elimination allows interventions to be faster and more efficient. This is possible by targeting smaller and specific HCV risk groups.
Databáze: MEDLINE
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